Providing for Consideration of H. R. 1815, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006

PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 1815, NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006 -- (House of Representatives - May 25, 2005)

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Mr. MARSHALL. Mr. Speaker, most Americans do not know that this country taxes disabled veterans. We take from military retirees, who are also disabled, 100 percent of their disability benefits. We started doing this in the 1800s. It is indefensible, in my opinion, and I think most Americans, if they realized we were doing it, would recognize that this is an indefensible policy of our country.

Mr. Speaker, for the last 20-some-odd years a supermajority of the Members of this House have signed on to legislation to end the disabled veterans tax. Once again, there is legislation that would end the disabled veterans tax with many cosponsors. Most of the Members of this House will ultimately cosponsor that legislation.

My amendment, Mr. Speaker, would have brought to the floor as part of the Armed Services authorization bill a complete elimination of the disabled veterans tax. That amendment was ruled out of order by the Committee on Rules. I think that rule is wrong. I think Members of this House want to vote on that particular subject.

Two years ago in the House Committee on Armed Services authorization bill we took a small step toward eliminating this tax. Mr. Speaker, we should take the final step of eliminating this tax by permitting the amendment to be made. It would receive an overwhelming vote. We would end the disabled veterans tax and we would end an injustice to our veterans.

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